‘BUDDY… WE LOVED YOU SO MUCH.’ — Billy Crystal FIGHTS BACK TEARS DURING DEVASTATING Academy Awards TRIBUTE TO Rob Reiner AS Meg Ryan, Kathy Bates, Demi Moore, Jerry O’Connell AND HOLLYWOOD STARS STAND IN SILENCE FOR A LEGEND GONE TOO SOON! “Buddy… what fun we had storming the castle.” There was barely a dry eye in the room when Billy Crystal stepped onto the stage at the Academy Awards to honor his dear friend, legendary filmmaker Rob Reiner. His voice trembled as he remembered the man who made the world laugh, cry, and believe in the beauty of storytelling.

Billy Crystal paid a touching tribute to his late friend Rob Reiner during The Oscars In Memoriam segment on Sunday.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 15: Billy Crystal speaks onstage during the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

The 78-year-old actor took to the stage at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre to honor the Hollywood icon and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, three months after they were found dead in their home, allegedly murdered by their son, Nick.

Crystal said, “I first met Rob Reiner in 1975 when I was cast as his best friend in an episode of All in the Family. And it went so well that Rob said, ‘You know, it was fun playing your best friend, why don’t we keep it going?’ It was a thrill to see him evolve from a great comic actor to a master storyteller.”

 

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 09: (L-R) Rob Reiner and Billy Crystal attend the premiere of “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on September 09, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)

Crystal then took the audience on a brief history of Rob’s movies, including “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Stand By Me,” “The Princess Bride,” and “When Harry Met Sally.” He added, “My friends, Rob’s movies will last for lifetimes because they were about what makes us laugh, and cry, and what we aspired to be. Far better, in his eyes, far kinder, far funnier, and far more human.”

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 15: Billy Crystal speaks onstage during the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

He continued, “And when Michele Singer entered his life, they were unstoppable. A gifted photographer, she not only produced films with Rob but it was her energy that had them fighting social injustice in the country they both loved. Rob and Michele Reiner became the driving force in the landmark decision for marriage equality across the United States. And their loss is immeasurable.”

 

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 30: Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner attend the Human Rights Campaign 2019 Los Angeles Dinner at JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE on March 30, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Crystal then addressed Reiner’s fans, saying, “To the millions who have enjoyed his films all these years, I want you to know, here and around the world how many times Rob told me that it meant everything to him that his work meant something to you. And for us, who had the privilege of working with and knowing him and loving him, all we can say is, ‘Buddy, what fun we had storming the castle.’”

 

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 15: Billy Crystal speaks onstage during the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Stars from Reiner’s movies, including Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Kathy Bates, Kiefer Sutherland, Demi Moore, Jerry O’Connell, Annette Benning, Mandy Patinkin, and Fred Savage, joined Crystal on stage during the emotional tribute.